MAJAAL, the flagship project of First Bahrain, has signed an agreement with Hilal Conferences & Exhibitions (HCE) to be the strategic logistics sponsor for the fourth Gulf Industry Fair (GIF) in Bahrain next year.

GIF, to be held at the Bahrain International Convention and Exhibition Centre (BIEC) from February 8 to 10, 2011, is the most comprehensive industry-related exhibition in the Middle East, providing a highly targeted opportunity for any company  aimed at the region’s growing industrial sector.

In addition to logistics, the fair covers key industrial segments of aluminium, metal, automation, metrology, energy, petrochemicals and manufacturing. It also provides a unique opportunity for operators of industrial areas and free zones to meet an interested market of decision-makers in the manufacturing and distribution sectors.

Jubran Abdul Rahman, managing director, HCE said: “First Bahrain’s vision for the Kingdom’s SME sector is closely aligned with HCE’s vision for Gulf Industry Fair, which is to provide a springboard in Bahrain for international industry-related companies to serve regional Gulf markets, in line with the government’s Economic Vision 2030. We look forward to extending all support to ensure Majaal achieves maximum value from its participation in the fair.”

Opened in December last year at the Bahrain Investment Wharf (BIW), First Bahrain’s Majaal offers small and medium enterprises (SMEs) a unique purpose-built full-service business incubator platform, providing a wide range of production areas, offices, storage facilities and more, focused on the growing SME market.

The unique facility represents the vision of First Bahrain, the innovative real-estate investment organisation, to invest in demand-driven projects; focused on proven markets; and offer convenience to locally-based businesses and foreign investors.

Amin Al Arrayed, general manager of First Bahrain and managing director of Majaal, said: “Gulf Industry Fair’s exhibitor and visitor profile matches our target audience, and is an excellent vehicle through which we can establish new contacts with SMEs from Bahrain and around the world.”

GIF 2011 will be complemented by the first Gulf Industry Forum, to be held at the Conference Suite at the BIEC on February 9, 2011.